Rack



Aug. 18, 1936. J. E. RENHoLD-r 2,051,420

RACK

Filed Feb. 11, 1935 lNvEN-T'OR ATTORN EYS Patented Aug. 18, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RACK Application February 11, 1935, Serial No. 6,021

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to an improvement in racks. One object thereof has been to provide a rack, set of shelves, or the like of simple construction which may readily be mounted or operatively positioned in relation toy a desk, table or other piece of oce furniture, or the like, and be removed therefrom without permanently marking or marring the same and without requiringr the use of extraneous attaching or securing devices.

One form of rack embodying my invention and adapted more particularly to receive the usual dictating machine cylinders and/or the containers within which such cylinders are commonly housed, is illustrated in the drawing accompanying the present specification and in which- Figure 1 is a three-quarter view in perspective showing a rack operatively assembled in relation to a portion of a table or desk, and

Figure 2, a longitudinal enlarged vertical section illustrating more particularly the details of construction of the pedestal upon which the rack is supported.

Referring to the drawing, said embodiment includes a main portion or body comprising a set of shelves I, or the like, mounted in a frame having side members or walls 2. The top wall 3, or other upper portion of the body, carries friction contact members as pads 4 of rubber, or other appropriate material.

The parts thus far described are supported in operative position by a telescoping pedestal, Figure 2, which comprises a hollow column 5 at the upper end of which is a supporting plate 6 for the frame and shelves provided at each end with upturned flanges 1 having threaded holes through which screws 8 extend to engage and clamp portions of the lowermost of the shelves I which, in the particular construction shown, is a bottom plate having flanges 9 overlapping lower end portions of the side plates 2.

The upper end of the hollow column 5 is closed by a plug I0 secured in position by a pin II and riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the supporting plate 6. The open or lower end of the column 5 is adapted to receive and telescope with a plunger I2 having a frictional contact or engaging device as a pad I3 of rubber or other suitable material at its lower end. A ccmpression spring I4 is interposed between the plug IB and the upper end of the plunger I2 and tends normally to press the plunger outwardly or downwardly in relation to column 5, this movement being limited in extent by a suitable detent such as a pin I5 extending through a portion of the wall of column 5 and into a slot or groove i6 in the wall of the plunger I2.

To apply cr position the apparatus hereinabove described, in relation to a table, for example, as illustrated in Figure 1, the friction member or rubber pad I3 is pressed against the oor at an appropriate spot in relation to said table. Spring i4 is then compressed sufliciently as by pushing down on the rack to telescope the plunger I2 within the hollow column 5, whereupon by a lateral movement, the top plate and the rubber pads 4 are deflected into position beneath the overhanging portion of the table. When the downward pressure is released, the compression of spring I4 moves the rack upwardly and presses the pads 4 into frictional engagement with an under surface of said overhanging portion of the table. To remove the described apparatus, spring I4 is again compressed by pressing downward on the rack to disengage the pads 4 from the table and the rack is then deflected outwardly from its operative position.

From the foregoing, it is clear that apparatus embodying my invention as above described provides a simple and convenient arrangement affording shelf facilities in spaces which are ordinarily wasted. Other advantages and beneficial results in the use of my improved structure will be apparent from further consideration of the drawing and the above description of one embodiment thereof.

I claim:

A set of shelves for use with a desk, table, or the like, comprising a casing having a top member, a bottom member, and shelves arranged between said top and bottom members, a frictional contact pad mounted on an upwardly eX- posed surface of the top member and a pedestal secured to said bottom member and including a hollow column open at its lower end, a plunger slidably mounted in said column and extending through said open end thereof, and a spring in the column interposed between the bottom member and the inner end of said plunger and adapted to be compressed by said plunger when the casing and the column are pressed downwardly to bring said pad below an overhanging portion of a desk, table o-r the like, said spring operating between the plunger and the table or desk to press the contact pad into frictional engagement therewith and thereby hold the rack in operative upright position.

JOHN E. RENHOLDT. 

